§ 9. Mr. Robert Jenkinsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether the Water Pollution Research Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has yet investigated the treatment of slaughterhouse wastes, which can cause serious pollution of rivers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. NichollsThe Laboratory is investigating a method of disposal known as anaerobic digestion. A small pilot scale plant has been in operation for approximately a year. The information so far obtained is hopeful and there is a good prospect that it will be worth while building and testing one or more full-scale plants; further developments would depend on the results obtained from these.
§ Mr. JenkinsI thank my hon. Friend for that information, but can he give an assurance that the knowledge will be brought to the attention of local authorities and all other persons or bodies who can make use of it?
§ Mr. NichollsCertainly. This new treatment means that a smaller plant can do the job, which will mean a great saving in cost. I can assure my hon. Friend that this will be made well known, so that all who can profit from it will have an opportunity of doing so.